Question

What is the balanced chemical equation for 1-propanol and sodium?

Answer 1

`H_3C-CH_2CH_2OH(l) + Na(s) rarr` `H_3C-CH_2CH_2O^(-)Na^(+) + 1/2H_2(g)`

Explanation:

Interestingly, for both methanol and ethanol, this reaction would rapidly go to completion. The reaction with propanol would be much more sluggish. Why?

This is precisely the same type of reaction as when sodium reacts (much more rapidly) with water.